For nearly two centuries, Indian Railways has been central to India’s social and economic life. Trains have connected villages to cities, labour markets to homes, and families across states. For millions, rail travel is not optional, it is essential. As India’s most affordable mass transport system, Indian Railways has consistently shaped mobility, access, and opportunity.Over the years, the focus has steadily expanded beyond capacity to include comfort, safety, and reliability for the general passenger. Features once limited to premium trains are increasingly being introduced across services used by everyday travellers. This passenger-centric shift forms the foundation of newer initiatives aimed at inclusivity.
Introduced as part of the Amrit Kaal vision, the Amrit Bharat Express reflects this approach. Launched in December 2023, 30 services are already operational, with nine more being introduced to further strengthen long-distance, affordable connectivity—especially linking the eastern and sub-Himalayan regions with southern, western, and central India. Here are all the train details as per the PIB press release. Read more: 5 non-EU countries that officially use the euro as currency
What is the Amrit Bharat Express?
The Amrit Bharat Express is a modern, fully non-AC long-distance sleeper-class train service designed to handle heavy passenger volumes during peak migration and festive periods. With fares of approximately INR 500 per 1,000 km, and proportionately lower fares for shorter distances, it follows a transparent fare structure without dynamic pricing.Each train is configured with 11 General Class coaches, 8 Sleeper Class coaches, 1 Pantry Car, and 2 Second Class–cum–Luggage–cum–Guard Vans with disabled-friendly compartments. The emphasis is on durability, comfort, and reliability for passengers who depend on non-AC long-distance travel for work, education, and family needs.
Kamakhya–Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express
Frequency | Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi & Haryana | Kamakhya (Friday 10:00 PM) – Rohtak (Sunday 2:45 PM); Return : Rohtak (Sunday 10:10 PM) – Kamakhya (Tuesday 12:15 PM)The line, linking Kamakhya with Rohtak, provides a significant alternate rail route from the North-East to northern India. It is accessible to several districts of six states without changing train and thereby facilitates different classes of passengers – unemployed youth, professionals and skilled/semi-skilled labour.The route comes near the major cultural and religious centres of Kamakhya temple, Ganga Ghats in Varanasi which would promote tourism development and connectivity, cultural linkages and boost economic activity.
Dibrugarh–Lucknow Amrit Bharat Express
Long-distance service from North-East to North India | Services Assam, Nagaland, Bihar & Uttar PradeshThis is the second train from Dibrugarh that will run via Dimapur and establish direct train connection between the northeast and Lucknow.The passage close to tourist attractions such as Kaziranga national park, Kamakhya temple, Ayodhya and Lucknow would foster tourism, small trade and movement of employment across regions.Read more: Republic Day long weekend: 5 national parks for Big Cat sightings
New Jalpaiguri–Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express
Weekly | East–South corridor Stimulated travel, links border foothills to Kanyakumari districtNew Jalpaiguri to Nagercoil, Its linking eastern Himalyan foothills to Southern tip of India.Traversing a strategically important corridor, it connects border-adjacent areas with ports, industrial belts and the interior. Its alignment comes close to places such as the Dooars, Vishakhapatnam, Madurai and Coimbatore, in order to promote tourism and for enabling long-distance regional integration.
New Jalpaiguri–Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express
Long-haul East–South Circuit | Border areas to education and temple centresThis train links New Jalpaiguri with Tiruchirappalli, enhancing linkage between eastern India and the educational-cum-cultural centre of Tamil Nadu.Agra, Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, the Cauvery delta and Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu and Chennai are among the major sites the route transits – enabling access to markets and institutions as well as centres of employment.
Alipurduar–SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express
Weekly | Border-to-tech corridor | Alipurduar (Mon 10:25 PM) to Bengaluru; Return: Bengaluru Sat 8:50 AMThis train, which links Alipurduar (close to Bhutan border) to Bengaluru is a step that cuts across east-south connectivity.It includes West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It facilitates the movement of labourers in search of jobs to work in urban areas within these states as well as tourism and economic integration between big cities like Calcutta/Chennai and the hinterland.
Alipurduar–Panvel Amrit Bharat Express
Regular | E/W corridor | Alipurduar (EM – Thu) to Panvel (Sat EV/LTE), Return:Panvel(Mon)-Alipurduar(Wed)It is connected Alipurduar, north Bengal area to Panvel in metropolitan Mumbai by this service.It passes through West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra; and near important Indian tourist destinations such as Darjeeling as well some of the most crucial trade routes in India’s eastern & northern states intersecting Chitrakoot, Gaya, Bhopal up to Dhule Trimbak-Trimbakeshwar (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas).
Santragachi–Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express
East–South connectivity | Connects Kolkata region with hub of Chennai suburbanLinking Santragachi and Tambaram, this service boosts education, healthcare services and market access between the enitre east and southern part of India.The route comes closer to the Jagannath Temple and Konark Sun Temple which would promote tourism as well as local trade.
Howrah–Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express
Weekly | Eastern India–NCR link | Howrah (Thu 23:10) – Anand Vihar (Sat 02:50); Return: Anand Vihar (Sat 05:15) – Howrah (Sun 10:50)This “service” provides a link between Howrah and Anand Vihar Terminal and runs in the Delhi-NCR region-eastern India.It provides services in the areas of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh with a view to facilitate accessibility to employment as well as administrative centers.
Sealdah–Banaras Amrit Bharat Express
Daily | Eastern India–spiritual hub corridor | Sealdah (19:30) – Banaras (07:20 next day); Return: Banaras (22:10) – Sealdah(09:55 the next day)This service runs daily and links Sealdah with Banaras, a major religious center in India.The corridor will also develop tourism, including religious tourism and better connectivity with Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar), Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Sarnath.
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